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iOS 6 beta (build 10A5316k) is expected to make its appearance at WWDC this week. It seems that some of the beta links for iOS 6 have made their way out just a little bit early, according to Chinese forum WeiPhone.com, however the links are not quite working yet. This could mean that Apple is beginning to prepare their developer download links to the iOS 6 beta that will be revealed so that the links are ready to be downloaded as soon as they announce it.

What is interesting is that the original iPad is left out of the iOS 6 beta links. The iPhone 3GS, which has a slower processor than the original iPad, will still be able to run iOS 6 beta as well as every other iPhone released after the iPhone 3GS, according to the links. As a bonus, only the iPod touch 4G will be able to run iOS 6 beta – the iPod touch 3G doesn't have any iOS 6 beta links available. The iPad 2 and the new iPad will also be able to run iOS 6 beta, according to the links.

The findings could mean one of two things – either Apple isn’t finished with their linking, or they plan to phase out the original iPad from their iOS operating system sooner than expected. It would honestly make more sense for Apple to stop supporting the iPhone 3GS instead of the original iPad due to hardware capabilities.

The finding that the original iPad is not supported is currently still just a rumor, however all truths shall soon be entirely revealed. iOS 6 is expected to bring a whole bunch of great new features to iOS, including a new maps system, a ‘do not disturb’ feature, Facebook integration, and bring Siri to the new iPad. More features will likely be added, but not enough has been uncovered about the operating system to know for sure.

If Apple does choose not to support the original iPad, we can be sure of one thing: many Apple customers won't be happy.

Why you all are so mad 'cause 3GS is supported??? Jelaous? I own one, 32GB, have it since 3.1.2, using every bit of new software improvements, and it isnt that slow, it can still play every game very smoothly...I appreciate very much this Apple decision, can't wait for iOS6 hope for all of you haters it'll support iOS7, why wouldn't there be an upgrade if it can run it huh? Any problems?

I've had my iPad for a while now, but today I finally bought a 'New iPad' off eBay - iPad's are not supposed to be laptop replacements and never will be. but mine I use far more than my laptop, it's certainly not a toy - and I'm not sure what you expect from the next iPad that will make it a laptop replacement and not a 'toy'?

The iPad 3 is perfect except the CPU does not have enough power to smoothly run the retina screen. The iPad 4 could use a more powerful CPU, HD front facing camera, and 2GB of RAM - not to mention a 128GB HDD. If the iPad 4 gets half of those upgrades then the iPad will have moved from gimmick into fully functional Laptop replacement.

And yes, that is where the iPad is heading -- as a laptop replacement. Obviously its not a replacement for those of us that need mobile powerhouses to crunch movies or do heavy graphic design - but for the masses, the iPad will be more than enough in its 4th iteration and onward. If you haven't noticed, Apple has been exponentially updating the iPad with each year because the 1st gen was grossly underpowered by modern technological specs.

thats my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I've been in this game long enough to see a gimmick and when something truly useful comes along.

Originally Posted by mojpismonosa

Why you all are so mad 'cause 3GS is supported??? Jelaous? I own one, 32GB, have it since 3.1.2, using every bit of new software improvements, and it isnt that slow, it can still play every game very smoothly...I appreciate very much this Apple decision, can't wait for iOS6 hope for all of you haters it'll support iOS7, why wouldn't there be an upgrade if it can run it huh? Any problems?

No one is hating. Use your 3GS and be happy man. The majority opinion is that the 3GS will be dropped before the iPad 1.
But I disagree with your statement about it playing games - my old 3GS could not smoothly play monster hunter for iOS.

From what I noticed, only 3 firmware versions can go on one device. 1G iPod Touch and first iPhone only go up to iOS 3. The 2nd Generation devices only go up to iOS 4. If the pattern continues, iOS 5 will be 3rd generation devices and iPad 1s highest OS. But if iOS 6 can run smooth on 3gs, then I'll say go for it.

In a way, it's still about user experience, even if features are missing. Older devices operate better on older firmwares than they do on newer ones which demand more of them.

I agree, when i had the 3G and upgraded to to IOS 4? That was a bad mistake! I dont think Apple should have used IOS 4 to be use on the 3G. The phone was very slow and took forever to boot up even with nothing sync to it.

It makes no sense that they would discontinue support for the iPad 1, but continue support for the iPhone 3GS and 4. The 4 is a fair bit faster than the 3GS, and the iPad 1 is a fair bit faster than the 4, and it has 256MB RAM like the 3GS. Unless there's iPad specific improvements which are too much for the iPad 1?

I think the reason the 3GS gets support rather than the iPad 1 for a reasons already stated, the 3GS is still sold at retail while the iPad 1 hasn't been sold for at least 2 years.

The average consumer that picks up a 3GS for free right now would feel cheated to find their brand new phone is no longer supported. The non tech savy just thinks "I bought this phone last month & it isn't supported?"

The iPhone 4 will be free on contract in a few months & the 3GS will stop being supported in the middle of iOS 6 about 6 months after the release of the new iPhone.

I think the reason the 3GS gets support rather than the iPad 1 for a reasons already stated, the 3GS is still sold at retail while the iPad 1 hasn't been sold for at least 2 years.

The average consumer that picks up a 3GS for free right now would feel cheated to find their brand new phone is no longer supported. The non tech savy just thinks "I bought this phone last month & it isn't supported?"

The iPhone 4 will be free on contract in a few months & the 3GS will stop being supported in the middle of iOS 6 about 6 months after the release of the new iPhone.

I do not know why this is such a shock or even news worthy to people. Apple follows patterns religiously. 1st release, redesign, general improvements, redesign, general improvements.... iPad, iPhone, and iPod have all followed and for all of them they last 3 Operating systems, after that they are left out. Its not rocket science.

Well, the iPad has a higher resolution, therefore requiring more powerful hardware, and only has the power of the iPod Touch 4G. The 3GS's screen is half that of the iPod Touch 4G, and the 3GS has only a slightly slower processor. That, is why the iPad is unable to run iOS 6.

Its just my guess but the reason why 3gs is still supported is because its still being produced while the production of the ipad 1 stopped two years ago. This also applies for the ipod touch 4 which is production while the previous models are not thus getting excluded from the update to ios 6..... But then again its just my guess

And I've jus noticed this is under 'Mac news' - shouldn't it be under iPhone news?

Tablets are dominating the market right now, they are undeniably the way of the future. Laptops are already beginning to dwindle in sales and becoming a thing of the past as sales of tablets are starting to surpass those of laptops. I'm sure within the next ten or so years, laptops will be a thing of the past as tablets continue to develop and progress in terms of capability. I personally find it silly to think that laptops will always remain on the market in a world of rapidly evolving technology.

It makes sense, its been like this with all iOS devices, after two years Apple drops support for it before the 3rd year.
Eg, iPhone 3GS won't get the update this year and next year iPhone 4 won't get the update. If you haven't noticed, Apple only gives updates to the previous two iOS devices when a new one is released so when iPhone 7th gen is released, only the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 will get the iOS updates.

Tablets are dominating the market right now, they are undeniably the way of the future. Laptops are already beginning to dwindle in sales and becoming a thing of the past as sales of tablets are starting to surpass those of laptops. I'm sure within the next ten or so years, laptops will be a thing of the past as tablets continue to develop and progress in terms of capability. I personally find it silly to think that laptops will always remain on the market in a world of rapidly evolving technology.

My comment was about USB ports appearing on the iPad, I certainly wouldn't like to predict the future in a couple of years, let alone ten!

He clearly stated IF the iPad 1 is not compatible nor should the 3gs be.. They will both run extremely slow on 6.0.. Have you ever seen a 3GS run on 5.1.1?! You will be able to throw the phone a mile, recover it, and still wait for an app to launch or to switch to a new screen. They simply do not supply enough proper hardware that is capable of running such an OS.

Originally Posted by rud0lf77

I don't know why all the people think the iPad 1 will be unsupported just because the Link isn't "known" yet... If the 3GS is supported the iPad 1 has to be supported 100%, even if the 3GS wasn't supported I would expect to have 6.0.x on iPad 1 and a drop at 6.1.x or 6.2.x, but why listen to me? I mean I am not very long in the iPhone world.. Just since November 2007 (Launch of the iPhone in my country..)